A reported virus that is decimating China’s hog industry could help local farmer’s beef and poultry commodities this year. An outbreak of African swine fever has caused shortages around the world as meat processors try to meet demand and prices push up. Rich Olson of Olson Family Farms in Southern Door County says this could ultimately benefit the beef and chicken markets here.
China has lost about 30 percent of its herd, according to Olson. The African swine fever disease has not yet hit the United States but has reportedly reached Southeast Asia and part of Europe.